Family stories and research stories that tell the tale of my personal research. If you have a similar family line or want to know more. Please contact me!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Uncle Carl...

Several years ago – I found a number for Geneva Hansen. She was the daughter of Joe Friddle and
Bessie Silver. I called her and made
plans to drive to Coue d’Alene, ID which was where she lived. At the time I met her she was in her 90’s –
still living at home and still very sharp.
She was a bit puzzled as to why I wanted to talk to her, but there was
definitely a great reward.

Geneva was old enough to remember living up on Grouse Flats
with her parents and grandfather, Albert Friddles. Albert was my great grandfather’s older
brother and was probably the closest father figure that he had. Albert was actually 34 years older than Pop
Friddle (David Carl Friddle, my great grandfather) and was the one who
encouraged him to come out west and homestead up on Grouse Flats which is in
Wallowa Co., OR.

Geneva recalled when she was a little girl she thought that
Uncle Carl (Pop Friddle) was her favorite person in the world. Whenever he was around, Geneva would follow
him around like a puppy. She loved is
deep voice, big laugh and hugs. My
mother used to say that Pop Friddle gave the best bear hugs. I’ve always heard stories from my mother and
my great uncle about Pop Friddle, but it was great to hear stories from someone
else who had a completely different perspective.

Geneva told one story about a Christmas when she was young –
probably about 1920. Evidently they were
having a Christmas party at their church. Pop Friddle being a large and husky
man must have been the obvious choice to play Santa Claus. So, he dressed up in the red suit and beard
and made an entrance at the party. He
looked nothing like his normal self. Geneva
was one of the younger children who they were trying to surprise with
Santa. Geneva said that she took one
look at the man in the red suit and went running towards him shouting “Uncle
Carl, Uncle Carl” - They weren’t able to
trick young Geneva and she was so thrilled to see her favorite uncle.

Pop Friddle as he must have looked around 1920.

Geneva told me that that Christmas was one of her favorite
memories as a child. They didn’t have
much but they did get oranges and nuts and perhaps a toy at Christmas. They were much simpler times and Christmas was
a simpler celebration…but that Christmas party so long ago was still very fresh
in Geneva’s memory.

Geneva passed away a few years ago at the age of 94. She was the last of her family – her 3 other
sisters, parents, and husband had all preceded her in death. She spent the last few years of her life
living in Everett near her daughter.
What a lovely lady – I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet her.